Don Mattrick To Make Over $50 Million As Zynga Boss

As Don Mattrick prepares to start turning the Zynga ship around next week, some of the reasons for his move have become clear. In an SEC filing, Zynga has disclosed just how much Mattrick will be earning as CEO.

The paperwork details a variety of components to the deal that amount to over $50 million. Mattrick will receive $1 million per year in base compensation. However, his signing bonus amounts to $5 million and, because of foregone stock, Zynga has extended a "make-whole grant" that totals $25 million in stock, vesting over three years. The first and second year represent approximately $11.3 million each of that.

In addition to the make-whole grant, Mattrick will also be receiving $15 million in stock. In 2014, he'll be eligible for a performance bonus of $2-4 million cash and $7 million in stock.

Our TakeMoney talks. As we sat back and scratched our heads wondering what on Earth could have motivated Don Mattrick to jump on the sinking Zynga ship, he was starting to cash in on a huge payday.

Zynga might be too far gone to save, requiring an entire corporate culture overhaul that would take more time than the ailing company has. Investors have loved the appointment, but whether they'll feel the same way in twelve months is all on Mattrick's shoulders now.

Still don't understand why companies give so much to people that haven't yet done anything. Why not sign them to a modest bonus then if they are doing well at the company, go ahead and give him the rest.

I think the worst news in this article, and the news that should concern anyone who cares about the Xbox brand, is that the division is going into the hands of the person responsible for the mess that is Windows 8. Am I the only one who caught that little tidbit?